Knightbridge, London

Knightsbridge is one of London's most expensive neighbourhoods, and its hotels reflect this.

The area's most famous landmark is Harrods department store, a wonderland of exotic goods and quality British fare. Together with its hipper neighbour, ‘Harvey Nicks', it attracts wealthy shoppers from all round the world. Note the chauffeur driven Mercedes circling as they wait for their employers.

Sloane Street, which runs from Knightsbridge down to Sloane Square, is lined with haute couteur and catwalk names such as Chanel, Armani, Versace, Pucci, YSL… making this London's most exclusive shopping destination.

Hotels near Harrods tend to be big show four and five star operations: the Millennium Knightsbridge Hotel, Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes, and the Mandarin Oriental which offers views to the rear over Hyde Park. For something more intimate, the neighbouring Levin and Capital hotels are family-run and also five stars, while quiet townhouse hotel The Beaufort will serve you a traditional cream tea in the afternoon.

A short stroll down Sloane Street brings you to Knightsbridge Hotels such as the Cadogan, where Oscar Wilde was arrested (room 118 since you ask); bijou Durley House with just 11 elegantly fitted rooms; and the antique Edwardiana of the Draycott hotel.

By the time you reach Sloane Square, the tourists will have thinned out, replaced by London's bourgeoisie. The square gave its name to the 1980s upper-class tribe the Sloane Ranger, who could be found frolicking in its fountains, and still attracts upper-class Londoners sorting out their haberdashery in Peter Jones department store (twinned with the more famous John Lewis). Among the British designers who have located here are loafer king Patrick Cox, and cutlery giant David Mellor.

This is also an area of high culture: the Royal Court Theatre, still producing challenging work and championing new writing; and the Saatchi Gallery which has taken up residence in the Duke of York\'s HQ on the King\'s Road.

Knightsbridge is easily accessible from the Park Lane hotels, which are one stop away east on the Piccadilly line to Hyde Park Corner. It also has the pick of the Kensington Hotels on its doorstep, one stop to the west, close to the museums. The Rembrandt Hotel, for example, has a contemporary style and great business facilities, and is right opposite the V&A.

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